Unemployed Anxiety: What I’d Do If I Lost My Job Today

If you’re feeling anxious, stuck, or ashamed about being unemployed — I understand completely.

As a job search coach, I’ve seen how quickly unemployment can erode confidence. And if I lost my job tomorrow, I know exactly how easily panic would set in. But I also know the steps that will get you back on track faster — even if you feel like nothing’s working.

In this guide, I’ll share the exact plan I’d follow if I were unemployed: how to earn while searching, how to keep your head clear, and how to get hired sooner rather than later.

Step 1: Acknowledge the Panic — But Set a Limit

The anxiety is real. You might feel like:

You’ve lost your identity
You’re falling behind your peers
You don’t know when you’ll feel “normal” again

It’s okay to feel this way — but it’s not okay to let it take over.

Give yourself a short, defined window to process the shock. Take up to 48 hours to rest, cry, watch Netflix, or vent to a trusted friend. Then, commit to shifting gears into action.

The longer you stay in the “frozen” stage, the harder it is to restart. Action is the antidote to anxiety.

Step 2: Secure Short-Term Income Without Losing Focus

When you’re unemployed, survival comes first. You need to cover your bills while giving yourself breathing room to job search effectively.

You have two main options:

1. Use Your Savings

If you’ve built a financial cushion, using part of it now can give you uninterrupted time to focus on your job search. That’s what I did years ago — and because I treated job hunting as a full-time role, I landed my next position in just two weeks.
The downside? Watching your bank balance shrink is stressful. That’s why you also need a clear end date and plan for getting back into paid work.

2. Take Temporary or Casual Work

If you don’t have savings — or want to extend them — take a part-time or casual job. This could mean:

Working in restaurants (especially those from your home culture, where language barriers may be lower)
Retail shifts in supermarkets, pharmacies, or stores
Delivery driving for services like Uber Eats or Amazon

If your professional skills allow, freelancing is another option. Designers, accountants, IT specialists, writers, translators, and consultants can find projects on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, or Airtasker.

Freelancing keeps you in your field, builds your portfolio, and brings in income.

A word of caution: Don’t let temporary work become permanent by default. Many job seekers settle for the easier, lower-paid option because the skilled job search feels harder. But think about your investment — years of study, training, and experience. Settling for minimum wage long term wastes that investment.

Step 3: Focus on Actions You Control

The fastest way to break unemployment paralysis is to focus on inputs (your actions) rather than outcomes (which you can’t fully control).

Each day, commit to 2–3 high-value activities, such as:

Updating your resume with measurable achievements
Sending personalised LinkedIn connection requests
Researching companies that hire in your field

Waiting for recruiters to respond is passive. Sending out targeted applications, networking, and following up are active steps you control — and that build momentum.

Step 4: Rebuild Confidence With Structure

Anxiety thrives in chaos. You’ll feel more in control when your days have structure.
Here’s what I’d do:

Dedicate a set block of time each weekday to job search tasks (e.g., 9am–12pm)
Keep afternoons or evenings for exercise, hobbies, or social connection
Track your applications in a spreadsheet or tool like Trello or Notion

Structure creates progress. Even small daily wins will rebuild your confidence.

Step 5: Invest in Yourself to Save Time

One of the biggest mistakes I made early in my career was refusing to invest in myself — even when it meant delaying my goals for years.

I used to believe spending money on training or coaching was a luxury. That belief cost me 7 extra years before I achieved my dream of living and working abroad.

If I were unemployed now, I wouldn’t repeat that mistake. I’d join a proven job search program to fast-track my results. Whether it’s mine or someone else’s, the right program can:

Cut your job search time from 1–2 years to 1–2 months
Provide strategies and templates that are already working in the current market
Hold you accountable so you don’t drift back into inaction

Think of it as an investment with measurable returns. An entry-level skilled job at $50,000 a year means every month you’re unemployed costs you over $4,000 in lost income. Reducing your job search by even three months more than pays for a quality program.

Step 6: Be Aware of Your Timeline

If you’re an international graduate or skilled migrant, your visa clock is ticking.

For example, if you have 2 years left, you don’t actually have 2 years to find a job — you have 1 year to get hired and 1 year to work before you meet the 12-month employment requirement for PR.

The later you start, the smaller your window gets. That’s why acting quickly is essential.

My Immediate Action Plan If I Lost My Job Today

If I were in your shoes, here’s what I’d do in my first week:

Give myself 48 hours to process, then start job hunting.
Decide whether to use savings or take a short-term job for income.
Update my resume with strong, measurable achievements.
Connect with 5–10 relevant people on LinkedIn daily (without spamming).
Create a structured daily routine and stick to it.
Consider joining a job search program to shorten the process.

Remember: unemployment is just a chapter, not the whole story.

Need Help Getting Back on Track?

Download the Skilled Job Starter Kit — designed specifically for international students and migrants in Australia.

You’ll get:

A proven resume template that passes Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Interview preparation tips to boost your confidence
A LinkedIn optimisation checklist to start attracting opportunities

👉 Get it free here: https://www.theaho.co/free

FAQs

Is it normal to feel anxious while unemployed?
Yes. Unemployment can trigger anxiety, loss of identity, and self-doubt. It’s common — but manageable with structure and support.

How can I stay positive during my job search?
Focus on what you can control: your effort, your routine, and your mindset. Celebrate small wins daily.

What’s the fastest way to get back on track?
Update your resume, create a consistent job search routine, and start building meaningful connections in your industry.